How to Hydrate Dried Chiles in the Microwave

In Mexican cuisine, chiles are a staple that can be consumed fresh or dried. The latter is especially used for making salsas, marinades, and moles, and for this, they often need to be rehydrated. Today we teach you how to hydrate dried chiles in the microwave. According to Larousse Cocina, dried chiles are allowed to mature and then dehydrated so they can be preserved for longer. There are as many types of dried chiles as there are fresh chiles, but what usually changes is their name once dehydrated; for example, the poblano chile in its dried version is commonly known as ancho chile. Their names also change according to how they are dried, and this is what happens with jalapeño: when dried without smoking, it is called “chile meco,” but when it undergoes smoking, it is called “chile mora.”How to Hydrate Dried Chiles, Tips from a ChefWhile chiles can be roasted or charred when cooking them, this adds a smoky flavor that can be avoided if you simply hydrate them. It is very easy to do, as it only involves soaking them in hot water for about 20 minutes.This trick is meant to help you hydrate dried chiles quickly and practically, and also to give an extra touch of flavor to your marinades. Here are the tips for hydrating them shared by Kiwilimón's head chef, Yamilette González.Hydrating Chiles in the MicrowaveTo hydrate dried chiles quickly and practically, Chef Yamilette recommends doing it in the microwave. Just place the chiles submerged in water in a microwave-safe container, cover them with plastic wrap, and heat for 3 minutes. For example, for a guajillo chile, you need to leave it in hot water for 10 minutes and in the microwave for 3, but if it were a cascabel chile, it's around 20 minutes submerged in hot water, or 5 minutes in the microwave.You can also hydrate chiles with vinegar or juice, such as orange or pineapple, if the recipe calls for it when preparing a marinade. It will all depend on the type of chile you want to hydrate and how dry they are, but both the vinegar and the juice should also be hot.We hope these tricks for hydrating dried chiles in the microwave are helpful to you and that you put them into practice soon to save you time in the kitchen.